Peach Cobbler With a Twist

Last summer, I was going to a pot-luck and needed to bring a dessert. Being a southerner (and from Georgia to boot), how could I bring anything but a peach cobbler for a summer pot-luck? But, also being me, I couldn't just bring a regular ol' peach cobbler. So played around in the kitchen, and came up with this:



It's my Ginger Peach Cobbler with Blueberries. It's become a staple for my summer dessert repertoire. Look at that nice browned pastry top! And the wonderful bubbly blueberry-stained peach filling!



I made two cobblers tonight for my dad. He's going to a dinner party tomorrow and needed dessert for about 20 people. This was his request. So, all this baking and smelling the amazing aromas, and I don't get to taste even one bite!

If you're interested in trying it out, here's the recipe:

Ginger Peach Cobbler with Blueberries

Filling
6 large peaches, thinly sliced
1 c. fresh blueberries
3 Tbs. sugar
6 Tbs. brown sugar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/4. cup minced crystallized ginger
1 Tbs. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Topping
2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 1/2 sticks chilled butter, cut into small pieces
2 Tbs. minced crystallized ginger
1/2 c. boiling water
1 Tbs. sugar for sprinkling

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Toss together peaches, berries, sugars, lemon juice, and cornstarch in 9x13 pyrex baking dish. Bake for about 10 minutes.
3. While fruit bakes make topping. Stir together four, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Cut in butter with pastry cutter or blend with your finger tips until mixture resembles a coarse meal. Mix in crystallized ginger. Stir in boiling water until just combined.
4. Remove fruit from oven and drop spoonfuls of topping over it, spreading out a little (Topping will spread out as it bakes). Sprinkle topping with sugar, and bake until golden and bubbly, about 25 minutes.

A few notes: Frozen berries will work just as well as fresh, so those are a good alternative if blueberries aren't in season. Also, I imagine raspberries would also go really well in this recipe. Also, I used turbinado sugar to sprinkle on the topping...it makes it a little more golden color, and gives a little extra crunch to the topping. As for serving, this cobbler is perfect with a good vanilla ice cream!